All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 279
-
Article
What do you think, minister?
Many of you will no doubt have noted that the Journal still hasn?t published a response to the proposed restructure of
-
Article
Israel up for a hot summer
Increased specialisation and a finely honed product portfolio have contributed to the success of Israeli produce in recent years. And with avocados, mangoes and grapes proving more popular by the year, it seems that nothing can sate the UK demand for these eagerly anticipated summer lines. Emma Hardy reports.
-
Article
Chilean kiwis take greater share
A modest drop in Chilean kiwifruit export volumes this season isn't dampening the enthusiasm of growers and traders, who say prices are the best they have seen for several years. Steve Anderson, in Santiago, and Tommy Leighton report.
-
ArticleTip of the iceberg
With the UK iceberg season in its infancy it seems that once again the going could be tough. Difficult growing conditions matched with increasing consumer choice may lead to a titanic struggle. John Broy reports.
-
Article
South African citrus leads the way
Quality, efficiency and brand recognition are the most enduring characteristics of a long-established South African citrus industry. And despite struggling with the initial tensions of deregulation combined with difficult market conditions, when it comes to development and export South African citrus continues to lead the way. Emma Hardy reports.
-
Article
French lose their window
Last year was a poor one for French carrots. And the early signs for this season do not make 2003 look any better. John Broy reports.
-
Article
Tougher times for French stonefruit
The year 2002 left the memory of one of the most difficult seasons in the last 10 years for Europe's principle stonefruit producers. The volume of the crop reached new heights with more than 4.2 million tonnes of peaches, nectarines and plums available to the market. You would have to go back to 1994 to find an equivalent level. French producers congregated with their European counterparts at last week's Europech and Philippe Gautier gauges their opinions of the UK market.
-
Article
The Guardian of what exactly?
I don't read The Guardian as a rule and I would suggest that this industry makes a point of never turning its pages again
-
Article
Union opens up to outside world
The NFU has received its fair share of criticism over the years for not being proactive enough in addressing the hard
-
Article
Market development plan becomes clearer
After his proclamations on Rungis last month, French minister of trade Renaud Dutreil hit the news once again during Bordeaux
-
Article
Green green gras of home
British green asparagus at this time of the year is big business, and its specialist growers have high expectations that it can take an even larger share of the UK market. David Shapley reports.
-
Article
Melon malaise
2003 could be another difficult year for Spanish melon growers and exporters. This is in spite of a shortage of quality fruit on the marketplace, moves towards market-specific production and stronger focus on co-operative marketing. Much will depend upon weather conditions in the next couple of months. Lynda Seaton reports
-
Article
AV adds value to expand
Kent?s largest vegetable supplier AV Produce has increased its turnover four-fold in the last three years on the back of increased programmes and an upturn in demand for its added value range. A £1.6m investment in the development of the facilities at its Swanley home has placed the company in a strong position to meet the increasing demands of its customer base. Tommy Leighton reports.
-
Article
Cherries on the make
Expectations are high for this year?s Californian cherry crop with an expected increase in premium variety, Bing. And despite pressure to increase the cost of labour, advances in growing and packing continue while in these health conscious times marketing efforts centred on enhanced nutritional benefits will ensure that for prime Californian cherries, the season though short, will undoubtedly be sweet. Emma Hardy reports.
-
Article
Get off the bench and make a mark
The increasing power of the leading retailers is always put firmly in perspective when results time comes around each year.
-
ArticleCyprus singing through the rains
Shortages in supply have pushed prices to a premium for Cypriot potatoes in recent seasons ñ a situation that may well occur again this year. Yet against a backdrop of uncertainty created by erratic weather conditions and sporadic liftings, producers and distributors remain unswayed. Expect a buoyant year for the country's top export crop, writes Emma Hardy.
-
ArticleFacing up to new challenges
New Zealand top fruit growers and exporters are facing challenging times this season. These stem in part from adverse weather, which has reduced overall volumes and individual fruit size, but are also due to volatile economic conditions in key export markets, especially those in Asia. Further pressure is coming from uncertainty after deregulation and the removal of the single desk marketing system, which has led to a lack of planning and commitment by some growers. This situation is in stark contrast to 2001/02 when favourable weather bolstered output and exports to 480,000 tonnes and 325,000t respectively. Further impetus came from higher export packouts, a competitive New Zealand dollar against other currencies and limited availability of preferred varieties in principal foreign markets. Lynda Seaton reports.
-
ArticleFocus pays off for Stewarts
On the east coast of Scotland stretch vast acres of soft fruit tunnels and swede fields belonging to Scottish horticultural giant Stewarts of Tayside. Jane Mornement travelled to Perth to visit the farm for herself.
-
ArticlePackaging pioneers
Throughout April, the Journal will feature a series of articles on issues and developments that concern those involved with the packaging sector of the fresh produce industry. This week, Plaform profiles its new ranges, while over the page Sharp Interpack outlines how it has kept its position as one of the UK's leading thermoformers of rigid plastic packaging.
-
ArticleSharp stays ahead of the game
In today's competitive marketplace, staying one step ahead is vital to any business. Sharp Interpack, one of the UK's leading thermoformers of rigid plastic packaging, has done just that with a range of investments and the development of a number of innovative packaging solutions for its clients. The Journal reports.